The Skillman Foundation

The Skillman Visionary Awards, launched earlier this year, are a celebration of education visionaries who nurture the brilliance and power of Detroit youth. The annual program recognizes up to 10 individuals who are transforming the education system into a more equitable model for all, tying directly to the Foundation’s People Powered Education strategy. Visionaries represent a mix of educators, organizers, policy movers and other essential leaders working across Detroit education. Awardees receive $50,000, no strings attached, in acknowledgement of their impact and leadership.

The Foundation hosted a session at the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) Annual Conference to share why it launched this new awards program and what it has learned, including a transparent conversation about the behind-the-scenes considerations, challenges, risks, and opportunities around giving dollars directly to individuals.

The panel, moderated by president & CEO Angelique Power, featured Visionary Awardee Reverend Larry Simmons, executive director of Brightmoor Alliance. Panelists also included Maria Woodruff-Wright, vice president of operations & CFO at The Skillman Foundation, and Ashley Aidenbaum, director of strategic initiatives at The Skillman Foundation.

Power set the tone of the discussion by comparing the Detroit River which acts as a strait – connecting great ecosystems and two large bodies of water – to the potential impact that philanthropy can have on Detroit’s communities.

“Our strategy is to create cohesion despite tension. This program aims to connect those impacted most closely by systems, ground builders, with those occupying policy and systems spaces,” said Power.

“It is not an award program based on need or identifying who we think should win, but rather a strategic choice to recognize folks from ‘across the strait’ who are working towards education systems change,” continued Power.

Woodruff-Wright spoke about the nuts and bolts of the awards program, saying, “When mitigating risks, it is on the Foundation to make sure that awardees, and ourselves, understand what we can or cannot do.”

“It requires a discussion about what might happen and being prepared to respond if it does,” said Woodruff-Wright.

Aidenbaum shared her planning and implementation process as program lead for the Skillman Visionary Awards program. “Philanthropy is a good space to push the envelope. We wanted to piece together a picture of the visionaries impact and how it maps to our People Powered Education strategy,” said Aidenbaum.

Reverend Simmons then shared his perspective and experience as a visionary award recipient. “When Angelique [Power] called me, I told her, ‘I am rarely speechless, but you have left me without words’,” said Reverand Simmons. “The Skillman Visionary Awards creates an awareness that somebody is paying attention and provides an incentive to keep doing the hard work,” he added.

Learn more about the Skillman Visionary Awards program.